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Newcastle Jets leave ex-Australia boss Arnold to Sydney

Newcastle Jets have ended their pursuit of former Australia head coach Graham Arnold.

The Hunter outfit were hoping to install Arnold as their new boss ahead of the 2014/15 A-League season but have opted to close talks with the 50-year old who recently departed Japanese club Vegalta Sendai after a short stint.

Newcastle released a statement saying they would no longer go after the former Central Coast Mariners coach which leaves the door ajar for Sydney FC to pursue their number one target to replace Frank Farina.

Newcastle revealed that they had 'withdrawn from discussions with Graham Arnold regarding the club's vacant head coach position.

'Over the last two months the club has been conducting an extensive selection process for the head coach position which involved a number of domestic and international candidates including Graham Arnold, but after several discussions an agreement could not be reached.

'The club will continue the head coach selection process and look forward to making an announcement shortly.'

Newcastle's current boss Clayton Zane, who took the reins from Gary van Egmond in January, has stayed on as head coach of the club.